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Re: Websites on propagation



On Sun, 13 Sep 1998, Dawn L. Mlodoch wrote:

> Good Morning All!
> I have a couple of questions that I would like to put out for comment.
> 
> Does anyone know of a potting soil that does not contain forest products?

I'm very happy with a mix I make from equal parts of municipal yard-waste
compost and volcanic sand.  The former product is produced locally at the
Benton County "Resource Recovery" plant, but similar composts are produced
elsewhere in western Oregon.  The assay on the compost is pretty balanced,
with about 50 percent ash.

It's worth noting that the local compost is limed to near pH 7.  For
rhodos, etc, a more acid compost would be indicated.
Similarly, you could adjust more or less of the sand component depending
on the drainage or moisture requirements of the plants you grow.


I collect my own volcanic sand from a Forest Service quarry at Santiam
Junction.  It's a fine grade of the red cinder used by the highway
department for road-sanding.  Similar materials are available at local
rock yards, but be sure to use 1/4 inch or finer.  You could substitute 
garden sand or pumice, but the cinders appear to add nutrients,.for > 

> I live in zone 8 (Portland, OR). What would be the best way to winter over
> small Douglas Fir and Ceder trees that are in pots?

In western Oregon, you should protect pots from sudden freezing and from
water-logging.  Many growers get away with just massing large pots, so
that they insulate one-another.  You get at least 10 degrees further
protection by mounding a free-draining organic mulch around the pots --
sawdust or bark is usual.  Since you don't want to use forest products,
leaves or straw could be considered.

 > > How about outdoor sedums
in pots? Will they freeze? > > Thanks in advance for your ideas and input.

Most sedums are very hardy, but do not tolerate cold, wet soil well.  You 
have to have a medium that drains very rapidly, or you're likely to have
losses when wet soil freezes in pots.  [The worst condition is heavy,
warm rains, followed by a sudden freeze.]

> > > 
> 
good luck, 

loren russell, corvallis, oregon
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